1935' Frazer Nash Tt Replica Shelsley Sports

Bonhams are delighted to offer at our forthcoming Collectors' Motor Car Auction on Sunday 10th September at The Chantilly Sale, Château de Chantilly, France, 34 collectors motor cars.

Formerly owned by Betty Haig
1935 Frazer Nash TT Replica Shelsley Sports
Chassis no. 2156

•Charismatic post-Vintage sports car
•One of only eight Shelsley models manufactured
•Original six-cylinder Blackburne engine
•Present ownership for 22 years
•Offered with German registration papers

Frazer Nash was founded in 1922 by Captain Archibald Frazer-Nash, who in partnership with H R Godfrey had been producing the GN cyclecar. Designed by Godfrey and Frazer-Nash, the GN was Britain's first and best-known cyclecar. The two young engineers set up shop initially in Hendon, North London from whence the first GN emerged in December 1910. An unusually large proportion of the car was manufactured in house and GN used proprietary JAP and Peugeot v-twin engines before commencing production of their own in 1911. The chassis was a simple ash framework in which the engine was mounted fore-and-aft, driving via a twin-chain transmission system that would continue on the later Frazer Nash. By the outbreak of The Great War, GN had sold approximately 200 cars.

After the war, GN was bought by the British Gregoire Company and production moved to larger premises in Wandsworth, South West London in 1919. A steel chassis was adopted and belt final drive replaced by chains, and for the next few years the little GNs sold well. In 1922 both Frazer-Nash and Godfrey left the firm, the former to set up under his own name while the latter went on to co-found HRG.
Between 1924 and 1954, when production effectively ceased, approximately 450 Frazer Nash cars were produced, of which 350 were pre-war 'Chain Gang' models. Of these, 85 had the most popular TT Replica style of bodywork, which was offered between March 1932 and 1939. Frazer Nash used a number of different proprietary engines, the TT Replica, for example, being fitted with the 1½-litre, four-cylinder, overhead-valve Meadows engine; the 1,661cc six-cylinder, twin-overhead-camshaft Blackburne engine; and the 1½-litre, four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft Gough engine. However, it should be noted that the factory undertook the manufacture of individual cars to order and various combinations of engine and chassis were produced. Although the chain drive is highly unusual, for a motor car of the period, a chain is more efficient than almost any other form of power transmission and the Frazer Nash system was one of the best. References at the time to 'smoking or red-hot chains lying on the road' after the rare breakage were mistaken. The reason they were handled with care was because they were dirty, and many chains lasted over 40,000 miles. With their unique form of drive, Frazer Nashes over-steered dramatically under power and it was said at the time that 'Frazer Nashes never go round corners, they merely change direction.'

Offered here is an example of the rare Shelsley, which was named, like many Frazer Nash models of this period, after a popular motor sports event, in this case the eponymous Wiltshire hill climb. We are advised that chassis number '2156' was first owned by a Mrs Gore from Aldershot, Hampshire. The accompanying old-style UK logbook takes up the ownership history in 1956 when the car was registered to one Thomas Smith, who at that time was an Army officer serving at the School of Artillery at Larkhill, Wiltshire. The next owner listed is Betty Haig, the celebrated rally driver and occasional circuit racer, who enjoyed considerable success in international rallying both before and after WW2. Subsequent owners listed (in order) are Keith Moore of Birkenhead (1960), Maurice Bethell of Cheshire (1963), Henry Bickerton of Castle Eden, County Durham (1964), and Julian Ghosh of Sutton Coldfield (undated). The current vendor has owned the Frazer Nash for the last 22 years.

Finished in black with Burgundy interior, this exciting car is an original example of one of the most attractive 'Chain Gang' Nashes. The Shelsley retains its original six-cylinder 1,661cc Blackburne engine, delivering ample performance, and comes with a full-width windscreen, alternative Brooklands screens, and full weather equipment. Other noteworthy features include central lubrication for all chains, an additional alternator, and new tyres. Regularly maintained by Classic Garage Diessen (Gunther Schmidt) in Bavaria, Germany, '2156' is reported to be a very effective touring car, having proven its capability many times on Alpine passes such as the Stelvio.